The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is urging livestock producers in the Prairie provinces to take the necessary precautions to protect their animals from anthrax this summer.

Anthrax is a naturally occurring disease that can have devastating affects on cattle, sheep, goats, horses and bison. The spores that cause the disease are known to exist in the soil across the Canadian prairies. They generally surface during the summer months, when heavy rainfall and flooding is followed by hot, dry temperatures.

"Given the recent and predicted climatic conditions, the risk of anthrax is poised to elevate this summer," says Dr. Brian Evans, Chief Veterinary Officer and Chief Food Safety Officer for Canada, "we encourage all livestock producers in the prairies to speak to their veterinarian about having their animals vaccinated, especially if their herd is in an area where anthrax has been found before."

While vaccinating livestock is the best protection against anthrax, producers should also avoid giving hay that was cut close to the soil or feed that had contact with soil to non-vaccinated animals thoroughly clean and disinfect equipment and footwear that may have had contact with contaminated soil

wash clothes worn when tending to sick animals separately from the rest of the household laundry.

For more information on anthrax and Canada’s disease control measures, producers should call the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 or visit www.inspection.gc.ca.

Groom one is a unique program introducing students to employment in the horse industry by blending classroom experience, online learning and a hands-on work placement. Employers are looking for safety skills and a good foundation of horse knowledge akin to those gained through Equine Guelph’s comprehensive Groom One program.

Employers from the Quarter horse racing program actively participate as pathway mentors. To find out more about program subsidies please visit: www.ontarioracingcommission.ca. Groom One participants can also source their own employment options opening up opportunities tailored to their horse industry career aspirations in the discipline of their choice.

Industry professional Doug Nash comments, “In my view, the Groom One Program provides the basics for a solid foundation in Horse Handling Skills, Nutrition, Conformation, Health and Safety, the Environment. It also passes on knowledge gained from the latest research and technology as it is applied daily in the Horse Industry regardless of breed or discipline therefore providing potential employers with skilled, knowledgeable people that would be an asset to any Equine operation!”

Equine Guelph is the horse owners’ and care givers’ Centre at the University of Guelph. It is a unique partnership dedicated to the health and well-being of horses, supported and overseen by equine industry groups. Equine Guelph is the epicentre for academia, industry and government – for the good of the equine industry as a whole. For further information, visit www.equineguelph.ca.

Equine Guelph, with the support of 20 industry partners from Canada and the United States, is launching a 20-page bilingual interactive workbook titled Danger Detective on the Horse Farm, which teaches equine safety to youth through fun, engaging activities.

Horses continue to be the #1 cause of agricultural animal injuries to our youth; 67% of animal-related injuries to kids (19 and under) are caused by horses.In addition, machine run-overs are the #1 cause of fatal injuries to youth on farms (Source: Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting program).The combination of horses and equipment plus kids can add up to a disaster waiting to happen.

Partners will be distributing 55,000 workbooks to kids aged 10-12 years, available through:EquiMania! (Can-Am and The Royal), federation exhibits at shows and events, industry retail locations, classrooms (in Alberta) and federation mailings.

This project was made possible by a significant funding contribution from CASA, a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting health and safety on Canadian farms and ranches.“CASA is pleased to support an initiative within this unique agricultural industry; one that is uniting to create a strong partnership to keep its kids safe,” says Marcel Hacault, executive director of CASA.

For more information on how to obtain a Danger Detective on the Horse Farm Activity Workbook, please contact your provincial/territorial equine federation.

-By Henrietta Coole

Equine Guelph is the horse owners’ and care givers’ Centre at the University of Guelph.It is a unique partnership dedicated to the health and well-being of horses, supported and overseen by equine industry groups.Equine Guelph is the epicentre for academia, industry and government – for the good of the equine industry as a whole. For further information, visit www.equineguelph.ca.